January 2010

The month of January was a very long one for us. We had alot of exciting plans (going to visit friends and family, going to my cousin's wedding, and a bridal shower for my sister-in-law-to-be), but had to cut some of them out. A few days after Mary Laine's birthday, we loaded up the car and headed to Atlanta for our first stop in a nearly month-long trip. We planned to spend a few days with our dear friends, the Galbreaths, visit other Atlanta friends that we hadn't seen in way too long, and go to a couple of Kennesaw State basketball games. Unfortunately, when we were only a few minutes away, we were rear-ended and our car was totaled. So, sweet Shannon had to pack up her kids and come out in the snow (yes, it started snowing after the wreck) to save us from the side of the road as our car was towed away. When we got to their house, we turned right around and headed out to a basketball game. Sadly, Kennesaw didn't win. The next morning, we tried to get a rental car, but the roads were all iced over and the insurance company's office as well as most rental car offices were closed. So, the Galbreaths were stuck with us without a car. It as actually fun to just get to spend the day hanging out with them. We were finally able to get a rental van the next morning. On Saturday, I noticed that Mary Laine was acting a little fussy and wasn't eating very well (which is very out of character for her), but thought that it was probably just all of the excitement of being out of town. That night, several of us went back to Kennesaw State for another game. Mary Laine was super squirmy and fussy, but I just assumed that she was tired. I thought that if I walked around with her, that she may be able to settle down and fall asleep on my shoulder. On our third lap around the arena, the bottom dropped out. Mary Laine threw up. Yes, it was all over her, all over me, and all over the floor. Yuck! Thankfully, I had packed a pair of pj's in the diaper bag, so I could at least get Mary Laine changed. Our sweet friend Phillip drove us back home. I was naively hopeful that it would just be a one-time occurance... that we could get her cleaned up and get a good night's sleep and all be as good as new the next day. WRONG!!! My poor baby who had NEVER been sick (only a minor cold or two and that was IT) was up ALL NIGHT sick as a dog. Which meant that Gary and I were up all night taking care of her. Thankfully by about 10:00 the next morning, she was doing a little better. Of course, we didn't make it to church, and weren't able to get on the road like we had planned on. So, we decided to stay in Atlanta just one more night. Well, by that afternoon, I had it. Gary was able to take over Mary Laine duty so that I could quarantine myself. And then, of course, in the middle of the night, it had hit Gary. So, we ended up definitely overstaying our welcome as the Galbreaths had to put up with a sick family staying two days later than planned. Thanks guys - we already knew it before this trip, but y'all are truly the BEST friends!!!

Before the sickness set in
Mary Laine (12 mths), Kelsey (23 mths), and Carter (4)

Even though she was sick, we still got a smile or two

We had planned to go on to Raleigh to see Gary's parents and then on to South Carolina to see some of Gary's high school friends, but had to cancel that part of our trip (because we weren't feeling up to it, and we were all obviously highly contagious, so we didn't want to spread all of our germs). We headed straight to the beach a few days early. It sounds glamorous, but we just locked ourselves in our condo for days until we were sure we were all over the bug. It was a great view from the window, but so sad not to be able to get out and enjoy being there.

Not the worst view from your window when you're sick

While we were in lock-down in the condo, I was changing Mary Laine's diaper on the bed one morning. She decided that she wanted to crawl away from me and make it a game. I was on the phone (I'm not a great multi-tasker, so I should have known that this was going to be a bad idea.) Mary Laine proved that she has the potential to be a world-class gymnast as she did a some very impressive move, rolling 1 1/2 times backwards and plunging head-first off of the side of the bed. We'll have to work on her landings, though. She landed on her neck wedged between the bed, the side table, and the pack 'n play. In a failed attempt to catch her, I broke my toe on the furniture. Thankfully, Mary Laine bounced right back. Mama, on the other hand, was stuck with a swollen, bruised foot that had to stay elevated. No more cute shoes for the wedding!

One little monkey, rolling on the bed. She fell off and bumped her head!

Cutie Patootie!

In a pleasant turn of events, Daniel and Adair had a beautiful wedding! I was even more bummed about my broken toe with I heard the band because it was the best band I have ever heard. And I don't say that lightly. They were Party on the Moon and they were fabulous. I think that I was the only one who wasn't on the dance floor the entire night. They never took a break and they were so so good. Despite all of the incidents we had in getting there, it was all worth it. Congratulations and welcome to the family, Daniel!

When you can't get up and dance, the band will come to you!

We did get to stay at the beach and actually enjoy ourselves for a few days after the wedding. Mom and Dad babysat one night while Gary and I went on a double date with my grandparents to see The Blindside. We really enjoyed the movie, and it was so sweet to get to go out with Grandmom and Papa. One night, we went to our favorite place to eat in St. Simons - The Crab Trap. We have never gone to St. Simons without making it to the Crab Trap for at least one meal. One of our favorites is the crab soup. So, everyone at the table ordered a cup. Our waitress was trying to carry too many cups at one time (with no tray), and spilled them all over Mary Laine!! This is really hot soup! Thankfully, she wasn't burned, but I was disappointed that our waitress was less than apologetic. Will we go back to the Crab Trap? Absolutely - the food is too good to boycott them because of bad service. But I was sadly very disappointed.

Swimming with Aunt Susanne and Grant

So glad to finally be feeling better!

Sitting with Papa before the movie

Feeding the birds with Daddy

After all of the excitement over the past few weeks, I was glad to have a chance to have a mini-vacation for myself. Gary's younger brother is getting married this summer, so the Dyksterhouse (and Foca) ladies all gathered in Knoxville to welcome Kate to the family. We got to shop for flower girl dresses, bridesmaids dresses, and just hang out, eat really good food, and watch funny movies. It was a relaxing weekend and just what I needed. The night before we left to go home, Kate got the stomach bug (yes, the guest of honor - so sad!), so it ended on a bit of a sour note, but I think that we would all look back and say that the majority of the weekend was a blast. And then, the day after I got back home, I came down with the flu. Mary Laine also had a bad cold, so it all made sense - they say that bad things happen in threes. We just went through 2 sets of 3. That pretty much rounded out the month of January for us.

Sisters-in-law: Catherine, Kate (Katherine), Kathryn, and Kelly -
yes, it can be a bit confusing at times :-)

The attire when Daddy's in charge :-)

While there were definitely a few highlights in the month, we were all glad to see February!

For Aunt Su Su

Aunt Susanne has been requesting a video for the past few weeks, so these are for you!

Mary Laine Turns ONE!

On January 3, 2010, Mary Laine turned one! It is so hard to believe how fast she is growing. Her birthday was a great day. Because it fell on a Sunday, we celebrated with our Sunday School class and family after church. Thanks to everybody who came and to all of you who have been such a support and encouragement over the past year. Here are a few pictures from the party:

I made a "duck cake", since Mary Laine loves bathtime and rubber ducks

Mary Laine's own cake to dig into

The Birthday Girl with Grant, Aunt Su-Su, Papa, Mimi, and UncleWa-Wa

A HUGE thanks to Grant and Susanne who did all of the photo and video work!

Welcoming guests as they arrived

Playing with a rubber duckie

She loves her Papa

ML's big friends (and future babysitters!)

Uncle Walker, G.G. and Papa

NOT a fan of the hat

She has no idea what's coming - she had never had sugar before she ate this cake


Needless to say, she LOVED it!

On a sugar-high

Isabelle entertained us with some tunes - Rollin' on the River was the fan favorite!

Sarah Frances and Mary Laine enjoying their sugar highs together

Getting a little slap-happy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET GIRL! WE LOVE YOU!

December 2009

After all of our travels in November, we decided to stay put for the month of December. We really enjoyed just being able to enjoy Greenwood and celebrate the birth of Christ.

11 months old

Greenwood has a great Christmas parade that is actually the oldest and largest Christmas parade in the entire state. Mary Laine is still a little young to really appreciate it, and barely even flinched when the trucks with the sirens drove past. It was a very cold parade day, so we were thankful that my parents' house is on the parade route and we could watch through their window. We did venture out into the cold for a bit to say hello to all of our friends who were watching down the street. Mary Laine preferred her window-seat, though!

First Greenwood Christmas Parade

I have to give a Deacon update. We really are so proud of him. While he still has alot of puppy tendencies, and certainly can be mischievous every now and then, he is really starting to calm down and is so sweet with Mary Laine. The two of them are very cute together. They can also get each other into trouble. For example, even though Mary Laine knows that Deacon isn't allowed to play with her toys, she taunts him with them by putting them right up to his mouth as if to say, "I bet you'd really like to chew on this now, huh?" Deacon is usually pretty good about resisting the temptation, though :-). Here are some sweet Deacon pics:



One of the great things about December is that schools take a nice long break - and we get to see alot more of Uncle Walker and Aunt Susanne!


Mary Laine loves her Mimi and Papa too!

Playing catch is one of her new favorite activities

Here are some other cute December pictures:

Major bed-head after naptime

Reading is still her all-time favorite activity

She actually climbed onto the table (via the laundry basket) all by herself!

Celebrating Christmas was so much fun this year with a one-year old. Even though Mary Laine is too young to understand her need for a Savior, or even to appreciate the celebration, we enjoyed telling her about it all the same.

Our "children" on Christmas Eve

Opening presents on Christmas morning - she was more than a little overwhelmed and didn't even enjoy ripping the paper like I thought that she would. But, after the dust settled, she is really appreciative of all of her new toys.

Playing with her new bath toys - thanks Uncle Jim and Aunt Pat!!

The tradition in the Sturdivant family has always been to get together for a big Christmas lunch. My parents hosted everyone this year - and it was so much fun to see everyone. We have added five new members to the family (two births and three marriages) over the past year, and it is definitely "the more the merrier"!

Mary Laine and cousin Jane playing with cousin Carson and Aunt Ygondine

Mary Laine loves her "Big Papa"

Sweet time with Uncle Sykes

I love Aunt Su-Su!

Sweet grandfather-granddaughter picture (Uncle Mike and Jane)

Loving all of the attention

It wouldn't be a Sturdivant-family gathering without some sort of competition. Here we are in a heated game of LRC. Aunt Jan snuck in from behind to take the win!

On the 26th, Gary competed in the annual three-on-three alumni and friends basketball tournament at my high school. Gary enjoyed being able to get back out on the court, and the rest of us enjoyed being his cheerleaders. And what was even more fun was that his team won!! Congrats Brunson Smalls!

Mary Laine yelling out cheers for Daddy

Celebrating with the winners

Finally, on Susanne's 20th birthday, we were able to celebrate with her at her Debutante Ball. It isn't everyday that Gary and I have an excuse to get all gussied up. Here we are all cleaned up :-).

Happy New Year!